FATHEH ALI KHAN

I first became aware of Yogi Raj when I was a child, after I found his yoga column in a Kashmiri newspaper. I was fascinated by his knowledge on yoga and was instantly hooked on the columns, absorbing all this wonderful information. I continued to keep up with Yogi Raj’s work and research into yoga and felt inspired by this great man. Many years later I was introduced to Yogi Raj. We had an instant rapport and we became great friends, spending many hours sharing thoughts, debating and discussing the science of yoga.

Over the course of his life. Yogi Raj conducted a lot of yoga research and this was published in his works covering a range of medical conditions and the way yoga can help alleviate the symptoms and to manage illnesses. At the time of his passing, he had been working on a number of projects, including the books Yoga For Children and Life After Yoga. His family has approached me to assist in completing his unfinished works, on behalf of my friend – a task that I gladly accepted so that his good memory lives on.

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My thoughts go out to his family and friends for their great loss. I will deeply miss Yogi Raj as he displayed a real passion for yoga. I truly hope he gets the recognition he deserves, and is remembered throughout the world for his incredible efforts for keeping the flame of yoga alive in Pakistan. It is worth remembering that the earliest recorded history of yoga being practised in the world is in Pakistan (formerly part of India until it gained independence in 1947). Archaeologists unearthed remains of an ancient civilization in the Indus valley of Pakistan where two cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro once existed. Amongst the finds, archaeologists discovered seals showing figures in yogic postures. These were exciting finds and research continues. Yogi Raj worked tirelessly to keep the heritage and legacy of yoga alive in Pakistan and it is hoped that others will follow in this endeavour.